Jonna Sundling finishes second after a sprint battle with Jessie Diggins: "That’s what I would change"

Jonna Sundling finished second after a sprint battle with Jessie Diggins in the 20 km mass start freestyle race in Ruka, following a dramatic final stretch. Despite being close, Sundling couldn't overtake Diggins, who showcased her tactical prowess as they approached the finish line. "I should have been the first into the hill; in hindsight, that’s what I would change," Sundling mentioned, expressing satisfaction with her race disposition despite the tight finish.

In the latter part of the race, Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng pushed hard, creating a gap from the rest of the field. Johaug noted, "We knew they were strong sprinters, and we did everything we could."

This race was particularly pivotal as it marked the first elite-level appearance for Sundling in this competitive season, while Frida Karlsson was sidelined due to an overuse injury, hoping to return for future competitions.